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Federal Evidence • Policy Considerations & Exclusions
EVID#086
Legal Definition
Evidence of withdrawn guilty pleas, offers to plea, and any related statements are inadmissible.
Plain English Explanation
We want people to feel free to honestly negotiate deals with prosecutors, without worrying that negotiations could later be used against them. And we want defendants to be able to change their mind about pleading guilty, if they decide they are actually innocent or want to assert their rights. Using withdrawn pleas or plea negotiations against someone in court would discourage people from engaging in negotiations or correcting their plea if needed. So the law protects the honesty and integrity of the system by not allowing that evidence to be brought up later.
Hypothetical
Hypo 1: Bob is charged with theft. During negotiations, he considers pleading guilty to receive a lesser sentence but later decides to plead not guilty. Result: The court does not use Bob's initial consideration of a guilty plea as evidence against him.
Hypo 2: Sam is accused of embezzlement. He offers to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced charge, but eventually goes to trial pleading not guilty. Result: Sam's earlier offer to plead guilty is not admissible as evidence in his trial.
Hypo 3: Bob is caught on video confessing to a crime to a police officer. In court, he pleads not guilty. Result: The video of Bob's confession is admissible in court, as it is not related to a plea negotiation or a withdrawn plea.
Hypo 2: Sam is accused of embezzlement. He offers to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced charge, but eventually goes to trial pleading not guilty. Result: Sam's earlier offer to plead guilty is not admissible as evidence in his trial.
Hypo 3: Bob is caught on video confessing to a crime to a police officer. In court, he pleads not guilty. Result: The video of Bob's confession is admissible in court, as it is not related to a plea negotiation or a withdrawn plea.
Related Concepts
How do California's rules differ from the Federal rules when it comes to the admissibility of humanitarian offers or offers to pay medical expenses?
How do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to a defendant having liability insurance?
How do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to an offer of compromise between parties?
How do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to humanitarian offers or offers to pay medical expenses?
How do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to subsequent remedial measures?
In California, how do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to expressions of sympathy?
In California, how do courts handle the admissibility of evidence related to <subsequent remedial measures>?
